A GRADUATE of the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, New York yesterday took the helm of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), the country’s premier military school based in Baguio City.
Brig. Gen. Julius Tomines took over as acting PMA superintendent, in concurrent capacity as the commandant of the the PMA Corps of Cadets, during rites held at the PMA grounds.
Tomines succeeded Air Force Lt. Gen. Ferdinand Cartujano who reached the retirement age of 56 yesterday. Cartujano assumed the top PMA post in August 2020.
Tomines entered the PMA as a cadet in 1987 and was supposed to graduate from the academy in 1991 but was sent to the USMA in 1988 after excelling in his class. He went on to graduate from West Point in 1992.
Tomines, who assumed as PMA Corps of Cadet commandant in December 2020, said he is honored to be given the lead the PMA as acting superintendent. He also said Cartujano is a “tough act to follow,” calling the just-retired general an “epitome of excellence and a fitting inspiration to all budding leaders.”
Tomines expressed hope every PMA member, under his watch as acting acting PMA superintendent, “will be able to perform their duty and help prepare PMA for the incoming permanent superintendent.”
Last month, President Duterte signed Republic Act 11709 that fixed the term of the AFP chief and other key officials of the Armed Forces. The law applies to officers appointed by the President after its effectivity on July 1.
The law set the tour of duty of the AFP chief, AFP vice chief of staff, AFP deputy chief of staff, Army chief, Navy chief, Air Force chief, AFP inspector general, and the major service commanders to three years, and of the PMA superintendent to four years, unless terminated by the President.
